Meet the Band

Gearóid is an accomplished concertina player from County Kildare, known for his expressive, rhythmic and energetic style. An All-Ireland senior duet and trio champion, he frequently performs with his brother and fellow member of the Beartla Ó Flatharta Céilí Band, fiddler Seán Keane. Gearóid's mother, Nuala from Co. Clare passed on her appreciation of the Clare musical style, tunes and energy to Gearóid.

He has showcased his talents at many major events with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, and regularly performs and tutors at festivals across Ireland, such as the Tullamore TradFest, the Joe Mooney Summer School and the O'Carolan Festival. Gearóid has also toured internationally with Brú Ború, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, and Riverdance, blending his musical expertise with his background as a world champion Irish Dancer and qualified Irish dancing teacher (T.C.R.G).

In addition to the Irish cultural side of his life, Gearóid is a DevOps & Data Engineer in the IT sector. He regularly uses his technical skills to develop IT solutions that support music and dance organisations. Whether on stage or behind the scenes, he remains dedicated to preserving and promoting Irish culture.

Elaine is from Celbridge, Co. Kildare, and grew up in a musical family. Alongside her brother Phil, a talented fiddle player, she was introduced to a wide variety of musical genres from an early age by their parents, Andrew and Bernie. Two of her uncles—Eddie Clarke, a harmonica player and singer, and Fergus Clarke, a classical pianist—were among her earliest musical influences.

Elaine began her musical journey at the age of seven, starting with the tin whistle before progressing to the flute at ten. Interestingly, she first learned the classical flute before transitioning to the traditional flute. Her uncle Eddie, eager for her to embrace traditional music, gifted her a wooden flute one Easter instead of an Easter egg. She was fortunate to attend lessons with Catherine McEvoy, one of the greatest flute players in any genre and a significant musical influence on Elaine. In addition, she studied classical piano in her early years, which deepened her understanding of music theory.

Music was always at the heart of family gatherings, with car journeys filled with sing songs in harmony and family parties featuring songs from her aunt Anne Walsh, whose signature piece was Do You Love an Apple? It was in this environment that Elaine's love for singing was firmly established. Over the years, she has been a member of numerous choirs and musical groups. These days, she finds the greatest joy in singing with her friends and fellow band members, Róisín and Úna.

Elaine has toured extensively, performing at festivals across Ireland, Europe, and Australia. She also spent several years in Sydney, Australia, teaching music. She has been a member of the Beartla Ó Flatharta Céilí Band since it's formation in 2008.

Now based in Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Elaine lives with her young family and works as a secondary school teacher.  She has a BA in Music and a PGDE in Music Education.  

Róisín Ní Fhlatharta is an accomplished accordion player, singer and dancer. She grew up as part of a large family on a farm in a mini-Gaeltacht outside Maynooth, County Kildare called Cillmhicreaddóg where Irish language, heritage and culture were ingrained in her. Alongside her twin sister, Úna, they keep the family tradition alive, performing together in the Beartla Ó Flatharta Céilí Band, named in honour of their late father Beartla. 

Beartla was a musician, singer and dancer who came as a teenager with his parents to Cillmhicreaddóg as part of the land commission in the late 1960s and brought with him a rich tradition of music, song and dance. He met Mary his wife at a dance, they married and settled in Cillmhicreaddóg with their 8 children. Sadly, Bearla passed away when he was a young man (age 43), however Róisín’s earliest memories include his constant playing and singing in the kitchen, along with his many good friends that were frequent guests in our house.

Despite never having formal lessons from her father, Róisín's accordion style mirrors his, thanks to early guidance from Kerry's own John Fitzgerald. Her musical influences range from legends like Tony McMahon and Sharon Shannon to local people she played with growing up such as the Keanes and the Clarkes.

Róisín's trophy shelf is well-stocked, boasting multiple All-Ireland titles in solo dancing, set dancing and music. She even snagged the Charity Strictly Come Dancing Champion title in Maynooth beating in 2019. Her performances have taken her from the shores of Australia to the streets of Chicago and the cafés of France. Back home, she has played on RnG,  RTE and Tg4, the Late Late Show and on stages with some musical legends, including the late Shane McGowen. She credits her mother, Mary, for her unwavering support in her formative years—chauffeuring her to music classes with a microwave-heated dinner in tow.

Together with her husband, Barry Ryan, a guitar player, whom she met through the Ennis Trad Fest through the great Jack Ryan, a well-known fiddler, they are regulars at sessions and festivals across Kildare, Tipperary, and anywhere else they can sneak away to. She is a proud mom to two future musicians, Ferdia and Eanna. 

When she's not making music, Róisín dons a lab coat as a scientist and Lecturer at Maynooth University, with a PhD and a slew of publications to her name. She leads a research team (7 people) and is also affiliated with the Lonsdale Human Health Institute and a Funded Investigator at the CURAM Institute, Galway. Her area of expertise is in Glycoscience, the study of sugars and she primarily focuses on human health.  Her scientific prowess earned her a Gold Medal from the President of Ireland. 

With a life that's a harmonious blend of family, music, and science, Róisín continues to inspire, entertain, and keep the rich traditions of Irish music and dance alive.

Seán has been playing music and dancing for as long as he can remember. With strong family roots in Lissycasey, Co. Clare, where his mother is from, many of his childhood holidays were spent playing tunes and soaking up the tradition. Music and dancing have always formed the foundation for Seán life.

Over the years, Seán has won multiple All-Ireland titles in both music and dancing, in particular playing in duets and trios with his twin brother, Geároid. His passion for performing has taken him across the world, from Chicago to China and many places in between performing with Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Eireann and Riverdance. When he’s not teaching in Straffan National School, he spends his holidays traveling to music festivals, playing tunes, and catching up with friends from all over. For him, music is a universal language that connects people no matter where they are.

Outside of music, Seán has a big passion for fitness and coaching CrossFit. If he’s not in the classroom or playing music, there’s a good chance you’ll find him in the CrossFit Leixlip.

Seán is incredibly proud to be playing alongside lifelong friends in the Beartla’s, and even more so to be sharing the stage with his twin brother. For him, he believes deeply in carrying on the tradition:

"Everything that is not rooted in tradition is mere passing fashion.” (W.B. Yeats)

For Sean, music isn’t just about the present—it’s about keeping the wonder, love and awe of the tradition alive for future generations.

Declan, from Mayobridge in County Down has been a member of the band since 2015.

His musical journey began aged 6, learning the tin whistle, button accordion and piano. He joined Mayobridge Marching Band at an early age, and played in the band when they won their three-in-a-row Senior All-Ireland Fleadh titles from 1999 to 2001.

Declan grew up learning and playing music alongside his siblings, Darren and Donna, with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann craobh Rinn Mhic Giolla Rua and was a member of grupaí ceoil and céilí bands for many years. ​He was a member of the group ‘Ioscaid’ who won the Siansa Gael Linn competition in 2010 and were subsequently awarded the BBC Young Folk Award in 2012.

​Declan’s greatest influence was and remains to be his piano tutor and mentor, the late Brendan Gaughran, pianist with the Siamsa Céilí Band, Dundalk, who won 3-in-a-row Senior Céilí Band titles from 1967 to 1969. Brendan also achieved the same feat in solo piano in the years 1960 to 1962.

Declan can often be found playing piano in the line-up of a céilí band, or accompanying musicians at concerts and sessions, and has developed a distinctive and sensitive accompaniment style through his years of playing.

Anne-Marie Grogan is a flute player from Ratoath, Co. Meath. She grew up learning tin whistle and flute from Catherine Mc Evoy. Her father Hugh from Co. Tyrone plays the accordion and she learned a lot of her repertoire from him. Her mother Bridget from Co. Clare also had a keen interest in music and encouraged her along the years. 

Anne-Marie was part of Ashbourne Comhaltas from a young age. She enjoyed successes here as a multiple all-Ireland tin whistle champion and also as an all-Ireland trio winner with other members of the branch. She was a member of the group that won the Siansa Gael Linn competition under Jacinta Mc Evoy’s guidance. 

Anne-Marie was part of the band Cruinniú and travelled with them playing at various festivals in Ireland and abroad. She travelled to Australia and was a member of the group the Shamrock Shielas with whom she did the same. She taught flute classes in Sydney and at various festivals there also. Anne-Marie now lives in Ratoath and is a teacher in Dunboyne, Co. Meath. She still teaches tin whistle and flute lessons in Dunboyne. 

Hailing from Sutton, Dublin, Colm began his musical journey at a young age, starting with the tin whistle before transitioning to the fiddle at the age of ten. His deep-rooted passion for Irish music led him to participate in numerous summer schools, festivals, and competitions, where he achieved great success, including in Fleadhanna Cheoil, Siansa, Oireachtas na Samhna and Slógadh.

He has performed and toured extensively across Europe, Asia, and North America with renowned productions such as Ragús, Celtic Legends, and the Irish Thunder and Emerald Beat shows, which had a decade-long residency at Busch Gardens, USA. He has also collaborated with Spotlight Entertainment and toured with Comhaltas, performing at major festivals both in Ireland and abroad.

Colm has more than 20 years experience of both performing and organising corporate entertainment across Ireland, captivating guests, celebrities, presidents, and political figures at some of the country's most prestigious and unique venues. His ability to curate cultural performances has made him a sought after provider for high profile events, ensuring an authentic and engaging showcase of Irish music, song and dance. His involvement in the Laochra 1916 Commemoration Show at Croke Park stands out as a career highlight, reflecting his dedication to celebrating Irish heritage through music.

Beyond the stage, Colm was awarded a diploma in Irish music teaching (TTCT) and is a frequent adjudicator at Fleadhanna Ceoil. He has held various officer positions on Comhaltas committees and has spent years mentoring and leading groups and bands to competitive success. Additionally, he has made numerous appearances on television and radio, further showcasing his talent and contribution to the preservation and promotion of traditional Irish music.

Colm Hanley is a skilled and passionate musician with deep roots in traditional Irish music. Coming from a musical family, he grew up alongside his three sisters, who are all accomplished traditional Irish musicians.  Growing up, Colm had his first fiddle lessons under Attracta Brady at the age of 10.  He soon joined Seán Treacy CCÉ where he remained an active member through to adulthood. There, he was fortunate to learn from many great teachers including Colm Keane, Paul O’Shaughnessy and Mary Corcoran, all of whom helped to shape his musical journey.

The early experience of winning two Under-15 All-Ireland Céilí Band titles played a significant role in solidifying Colm’s connection to the céilí band tradition, a connection that continues to influence his music today.  In 2002, he was also part of the winning group of the Siansa Gael Linn competition under the tutelage of Jacinta McEvoy.

Colm has performed with various traditional groups abroad, sharing Irish music with international audiences, and he remains actively involved in Ireland’s vibrant traditional music scene, regularly attending annual festivals across the country.  

Today, Colm teaches fiddle, grúpaí cheoil and céilí bands at Craobh Shlí Dhála CCÉ in Dublin 15, while his wife, Sarah, teaches the banjo. Together, they are dedicated to preserving and passing on Ireland’s rich traditions of music, song, dance, and language, inspiring the next generation of musicians. Colm is a firm believer in the importance of safeguarding Ireland’s cultural heritage and encouraging young people to engage with it.